Old Eltham Collegians storm home to defeat Ivanhoe, keep finals hopes alive
Old Eltham Collegians full-back Daniel Hallett found himself in unfamiliar territory on Saturday, kicking the match-winning goal to cap a stunning comeback victory.
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Old Eltham Collegians’ season looked over at three-quarter-time on Saturday.
The Turtles trailed Ivanhoe by 20 points in wet, slippery conditions at Ivanhoe Park – a team and ground notoriously hard to score on.
However, a stunning fourth-quarter comeback saw the visitors kick the final four goals of the game to pinch a memorable six-point victory.
Trusty defender Daniel Hallett provided the match-winning moment, slotting the decisive goal with under five minutes to play, and Collegians held on for a 7.10 (52) to 7.4 (46) win.
After six straight losses, Old Eltham now has back-to-back wins to breath life into its NFNL Division 3 finals hopes.
It draws level with the Hoers and Epping in fourth and fifth, and is only a game behind Mernda in third, setting up a fascinating final three weeks.
Turtles coach Matt Sleeman praised his players for not giving up when all seemed lost.
“It keeps us alive, at three-quarter-time it was looking like we wouldn’t play finals.
“The boys dug deep in the last quarter, we got the first one and it was smooth sailing from there.
“What looked like a crowded forward line and, in really difficult to score, crappy conditions, it all of sudden opened up and we were able to get one-on-ones.
“We changed a few things, in hindsight we maybe took too long to change some things, we were tall up forward and swapped our tall forwards with small wingers and it started to work.
“At three-quarter-time we decided to square up the spare and told the backmen to follow your man in and that’s how Daniel Hallett kicked the goal to win the game.
“He pushed forward with his man and took a contested mark at the top of the goalsquare.”
A dour arm-wrestle in the first half saw just two goals kicked – both by Ivanhoe – as the home team took a 10-point lead into half-time.
Hoers coach Wayne Schultz kicking an eye-catching goal just before the break, slotting a difficult shot from a stoppage.
As the weather improved the scoring opened up, Ivanhoe extending the margin with a four-goal-to-three third quarter.
Having kicked three goals for the match, Old Eltham then more than doubled its score in a blistering final term to secure a critical win.
Kieran Malone’s move into midfield proved crucial, while Brent Macaffer was prolific and Bradyn Taglieri finished with a match-high three goals.
“Caff was huge in the midfield all day,” Sleeman said.
“Kieran started forward and played predominantly forward in the first half, so it wasn’t until half-way through the third we shifted him into the middle.
“He was pivotal in the second half, especially the last quarter.
“There’s probably a lot of possessions you don’t see, just his bullocking work and quick hands out to someone in space.
“Nathan Gavillucci has come into the side and been really good, he beats his man and hits targets and Beaudie Maroney was really good setting us up across half-back, wins a lot of his own footy and uses it well.”
For Ivanhoe, Harry Bourke was best afield, while Daniel Jones, Lucas Keyhoe and Marcel Moran stood tall.
Old Eltham now has the bye before a final fortnight against Heidelberg West and premiership contender Old Paradians.
Sleeman said all his team could do was focus on winning its final two games.
“The bye has come at a good time, getting the win and we can rest and recoup,” he said.
“Heidelberg West got us the first time round but I don’t think we’ll underestimate them this time and we like playing at their ground, it’s quite big.
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“We win that in two weeks time and we’re playing Parade to potentially cement a spot in the finals.
“It’s still up in the air if we make it but winning the last two games of the season is all we can focus on now.”
Elsewhere in Division 3, Fitzroy Stars continued its fine form with a strong 31-point win over flag rival Mernda, while Paradians locked in a top-three finish with a 124-point thrashing of Reservoir.
Kilmore was too good for Heidelberg West in a 38-point win, while Epping, Kinglake and Lalor all had the bye.
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